Timing device



` Nov. 30, 1943. H. s, BEAL. 2,335,632

' Trume DEvmf1 IFiled nay 14. 1941 2 sheets-sheet 1 awr 2 Bnnenor n I 25 .//erer S ea 29 (Ittomeg.

Nov. 30, 1943. H. s. BEAL TIMING DEVICE Filed May 14, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y i 4 Snnentor .//rber 1533660 Gttomegs.

Patented Nov. 30, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TIMING DEVICE Herbert S. Beal, Ellsworth, Maine Application May 14, 1941, Serial No. 393,361

(Cl. ll-15) 16 Claims.

My present inventionY relates to novel timing devices or the like and comprises novel starting, stopping and dial re-setting means.

In my invention, discs or like rotatable elements are connected to the driving mechanism by clutches and are weighted so that when the clutches are disengaged, they return to a predetermined position by gravity. The disc rotating means are controlled by manually operable starting and stopping means and the clutches are under the control of manually operated releasing mechanism adapted to release a gravity operated unit after eiecting the disengagement of the clutches to position and hold positively the released discs in their predetermined position until the clutches are again engaged whereafter the clutch releasing mechanism raises the unit into its inoperative position.

As the releasing mechanism has an intere mediate position wherein the clutches are disengaged and thel gravity operated unit is still engaged with the rotatable elements, I have provided means for holding the releasing mechanism in its intermediate position so that the same unit serves to stop the rotation of the discs automatically at the end of a predetermined interval.

While my invention may be employed with any type of disc rotating means, it is particularly Well adapted for use with conventional clock mechanism, making timing devices in accordance with my invention, inexpensive to manufacture and reliable in use, so that they may serve efficiently in the many instances where the measuring of time is either convenient or necessary.

In the accompanying drawings,` I have illustrated an embodiment of my invention from which its many novel features and advantages will be readily apparent. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of my invention in front View with the case partly broken away. 2 is a side view of the device shown in Fig. 3 is a vertical section along the line 3--3 of Fig. 1.

l Fig. 4 is a fragmentary rear view of the manually operated starting and stopping mechanism.

Fig. 5 shows in perspective the position of the parts when the clutches are engaged. l

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing the position of the parts when the clutches are disengaged, and

Figs. '7 and 8 are views showing schematically signal operating means.

While my rinvention may be used with any suitable driving mechanism, I have indicated a frame I supporting a casing C and generally indicated conventional clockwork having a balance wheel 2 and a gear 3. The shaft 4 of the gear 3 carries a gear 5 that may be considered the driving gear for the adjustable time indicating means.

In accordance with my invention, I employ manually operable starting and stopping means in control o1 the balance wheel 2. A bracket 6 on the frame I slidably supports a push rod 'I having a stop 8 engageable'with the bracket 6 to limit its upward movement under the inuence of the return spring 9. The lower end of the push rod l'I pivotally carries a pawl I0 having a weighted end II. A starting wheel I2 supported by the frame I carriespairs of pins or like members I3 and I4 disposed to be actuated by the pawl I 0.

The periphery of the starting wheel I2 is recessed intermediate each of the pins I3 and I4 to receive the end vof the resilient detent I5. The pins I3 'are preferably resilient and are disposed to engage the periphery of the balance Wheel 2.

The operation of the starting and stopping vmeans may be most readily understood by assuming a position of the starting wheel I 2 whereina pin I3 is in resilient engagement with the balance wheel 2 as is shown in Fig. 3. This position may be considered the starting and stopping position since when a pin I3 lis carried into or out of this position, the balance wheel 2 is stopped or started.

When a pin I2 is in the starting and stopping position, a pin I4 is in position to be contacted by the pawl I0 whenthe push rod 'I is depressed, while a pair of pins I2 and I3 are in an intermediate position. When the push rod 'I is depressed, the starting wheel I2 is actuated and rotary motion is imparted to the balance wheel 2.' Because the starting Wheel I 2 is restrained by the detent I5 and by contact of a'shorter pin I4 with the push rod 1, actuation of the pawl II) effects step by step rotation of the starting wheel I2. Since the pawl AII) is pivoted, the return of thepush rod 'I by the spring 9 does not disturb the position of the starting wheel I2 in relation to its detent I5. The mechanism continues to run with a short pin I4 in the starting and stopping position and a short pin I3 in position to be actuated by the pawl I0 when the push rod 1 is again depressed, as when the mechanism is to be stopped.

The driving gear 5 meshes with a pinion I3 on a stub shaft I1 on which a disc I8 is mounted for independent rotation. A clutch I9 connects the disc I8 to the gear I6. The clutch is normally held engaged by pressure of the spring 23 (see Fig. 3) but may be disengaged by the throw-out lever 2l. The disc IB carries a pin or pins 22 engageable with the teeth of a gear 23 on a shaft 24 supported by the frame I so that the gear 23 may serve as a counter for the revolutions of the disc I8.

A clutch 25 connects a second disc 25 to the counting gear 23. The clutch 25 is normally held engaged by the spring 21 but may be disengaged by a throw-out lever 2B. A resilient detent 2S carried by the frame I holds the gear 23 against free rotation.

The discs I8 and 2B carry weights '3D Yand 3|',

respectively, having recesses 30d. and 3I'a, respectively, (see Fig. 6) and the weights are so disposed that when the clutches are disengaged'the discs and pointers P carried thereby turn yunder the influence of gravity into theirzero or other predetermined positions as indicated by the dials A and B on the casing C.

In order to prevent the discs I8 and 26 from remaining in' a dead center position when its clutch is disengaged, I employ a spring 32 to be engaged by the pin 22 and placed undertension when the disc I3 is in its dead centerposition. I also employ a second pin 22a of insuiiicient length to engage with the gear 23 and this is so spaced that it engages with the spring 32 `and acts as a brake Von the rotation of the disc I8 asV it approaches the zero point or other predetermined position. A pin 34 carried by the' disc 26 is engageab'le with the springl 33 and places the spring 33 under tension when'the disc 26 is in its dead center position.

In order 'that the clutchesI may be disengaged, I provide a lever 35 pivotally mounted to the frame I to engage with and actuate the clutch throw-out levers 2I and 28. The lever 35 includes an arm 3B disposed to be actuated by the manually operated push rod 31 normally held in its inoperative position by the spring 38. The upper end of the lever 35 is provided with a portion 33 engageable with a latch 40 holding a slide 4I supported by guides 42 in its inoperative position shown most clearly 'in Fig. '5. The slide 4| carries a pair cf'arms I3- 44 having portions 43a. and 44a' complemental in size and shape to the recesses '33a and 3Ia of the weights 30 and 3|.

Assuming that the 'timing device is stopped, the predetermined reading of the pointers P is re-established by actuatingl the manually operable push rod 31 to effect disengagement of the clutches and to release the `shde 4I from fits latch 4i).v The' discs and pointers then rotate to their zero positions by gravity (see Figs. and) and the portions 43a 'and 44a enter the recesses A30a and Illa positively positioning and holding Ythe discs against rotation.` As the push'rod 31 is released to return under the-influencefof the spring 38, the clutches are re-engaged before the :arm 31a onthe rod 31 vcarries 'the-slide 4I into engagement with the latch 40.

It should be noted that in the re-setting of the dials to their zero reading, there are four definite positions of the re-setting mechanism. The iirst of these positions nds the clutches engaged and the slide 4I held remote `:from the discs by the latch 43. In the second position, the clutches are Vdisengaged while the slide 4I lis still held by the latch 4l), and in the third position, the latch 40 `is tripped to release the slide 4I and the clutches are disengaged. The fourth position nds the clutches engaged and the slide 4I still in its operative position wherein the portions 43a and 44a are in a position to either contact the periphery of the discs or enter their recesses 33a and 3 Ia.

I utilize this fourth position to provide for the automatic stopping of the device at the end of a predetermined interval. I accomplish this result by employing a slide 45 engageable with the push rod 31 to hold it in the fourth position after the pointers P have been set to a desired position. The portions 43a and 44a ride on the periphery of the discs until both portions are in registry with the recesses 30a and 3 la whereupon the slide 4I drops and the portions 43a and 44a become effective to stop the mechanism.

Such automatic stopping of the mechanism may be employed for many different purposes, such as the actuation oi a signal of which the electric light 4o is generally indicative. The circuit 41 to the light 46 includes a pair of switches 38, 49 in series. Preferably, the switch 48 is closed whenever the slide 4I is in its low position (see Fig. 8), while the switch 49 is closed by the slide when the slide 45' is moved to retain the push rod 35 in the fourth position. As shown in Figs.-5 and 6, the switch 49 may comprise a contact 43a carried by the slide- 45 engageable with the contact 49h when the slide 45 is in its operative position.

Timing devices in accordance with my invention thus provide wide adaptability with low cost, and desirable, eiiicient, and accurate operation.

What I therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A timing device comprising a rotatabletiming element, meansto rotate said element, manually operable means to start and stop said rotating means, a normally closed clutch connecting said element to said rotating means, said eiement being weighted to rotate into a vpredetermined position by gravity when said clutch is dis nga'ged, and second manually operable means to'disengage said clutch, and gravity operated means to engage with and hold said element only when said element is in said predetermined yposition and said clutch is disengaged.

2. The device of claim l in which the holding means are also operative after said second manually operable means have been actuated to disengage said clutch and remain operative after said clutch is engaged and until said second manually operable means are in their normal position.

3. A timing device comprising a rotatable timing element, means to rotate said element, first manually operable means to start and stop said rotating means, a normally closed clutch connecting said element to said rotating means, said element 'being Weighted to rotate into a predetermined position vby gravity when said clutch is disengaged, second manually operable means to disengage said clutch, a gravity operated stop, said stop and said element having complemental surfaces, latch means normally holding said stop in such a position that said surfaces are not in engagement, and said stop being released from said latch means by said second manually operable means after said clutch is released to hold said element in its predetermined'position.

4. A timing device comprising Va Vrotatable timing element, means to rotate said element, rst manually operable means to start and stop said rotating means, a normally closed clutch connecting said element to said rotating means, said element being weighted to rotate into avpredetermined position by gravity when said clutch is disengaged, second manually operable means to disengage said clutch, a gravity operated Stopp' lmeans after said clutch is released to hold said element in its predetermined `position, a spring to return said second manually operable means to its normal position, and means carried by said second maually operable means to return said stop into engagement with said latch after said clutch is engaged.

5. A timing device comprising a rotatable timing element, means including a gear Wheel to rotate said element, and means to actuate said gear wheel to start and stop said rotating means, said starting and stopping means comprising a starting wheel, a manually operable pawl, a plurality of members carried by said starting wheel, all of said members being engageable by said pawl to effect step by step rotation of said starting Wheel, alternate members being engageable with said gear wheel so that stepped rotation of said starting wheel eiects the starting or stopping oi said element rotating means as one of said engageable members is brought out of or into l engagement with said gear wheel.

6. A timing device comprising a rotatable timing element, means including a gear Wheel to rotate said element, and means controlling said gear wheel to start and stop said rotating means, said starting and stopping means comprising a starting wheel, members carried by said starting wheel to engage with said gear wheel, and manually operable means to eiect step by step rotatio-n of said starting wheel either to carry on each step an engageable member into engagement with said gear wheel to stop said element rotating means or to carry a member out of engagement with said gear wheel thereby to start said eiement rotating means.

7. A timing device comprising a rotatable timing element, means including a gear wheel to rotate said element, and means to actuate said gear wheel to start and stop said rotating means, said starting and stopping means comprising a starting wheel, a manually operable pawl, members carried by said starting wheel, all of said members being engageable by said pawl, detent means in control of said starting Wheel whereby actuation of vsaid pawl effects step by step rotation of said starting wheel, alternate members being engageable with said gear Wheel on one step of the rotation of said starting wheel to stop said first named wheel and being movable out of engagement on a successive step to start said rotating means.

8. The device of claim '7 in which the members engageable with the gear wheel are resilient.

9. The device of claim 'l in which the manually operable pawl comprises a push rod, a pawl element pivotally carried by said rod, a spring normally urging said push rod in a position wherein said pawl element is out of contact with said members, and means positioning said pawl element for positive engagement with said members when said push rod is manually actuated against the iniuence of the spring.

1i). A timing device comprising actuating mechanism, a rotatable timing element, a. normally closed clutchv connecting said element to said mechanism, gravity operated stop means, said stop means and said element having portions engageable to stop said mechanism on predetermined rotation of said element, a latch to hold said stop means remote from said element, a manually operable control for said'stop means, a lever engageable by said control to disengage said clutch and trip said latch whereby said stop means moves into operative relation with said element, resilient means urging said control to carry said stop means into engagement with said latch, and means to hold said control in a position wherein said clutch is engaged and said stop means is in operative relation with said element.

11. A timing device comprising a rotatable timing element, means to rotate said element, a normally closed clutch connecting said element and said rotating means, said element having a peripheral recess, gravity operated stop means having a portion to enter said recess when in registry therewith to hold said element against rotation, a latch to hold said stop means remote from said element, a manually operable control to disengage said clutch and to release said stop means from said latch, resilient means urging said stop means into engagement with said latch, and means to hold said control in a position wherein said clutch is engaged and said stop means is in operative relation with said element.

12. A timing device comprising a rotatable timing element, means to rotate said element, a normally closed clutch connecting said element and said rotating means, said element having a peripheral recess, gravity operated stop means having a portion to enter said recess when in registry therewith to hold said element against rotation, a latch to hold said stop means remote from said element, a manually operable control to disengage said clutch and to release said stop means from said latch, resilient means urging said stop into engagement with said latch, means to hold said control in a position wherein said clutch is engaged and said stop means is in operative relation with said element, signal means, said signal means being operative only when said holding means is dominant of said control and said portion of said stop means is entrant of said recess in said element.

13. The device of claim 12 in which said signal means is electrically operated and includes apair of switches, one of said switches being closed by said holding means and the other of said switches being closed by said stop means when said portion of said stop means is entrant of said recess in said element.

14. A timing device comprising rotating means,

a first rotatable timing element, a normally engaged clutch connecting said rst element to said rotatingmeans, a second rotatable timing element, means driven by said first element to rotate said second element, a normally engaged clutch connecting said second element to said driven means, each of said elemets being weighted to rotate into a predetermined position by gravity when its clutch is disengaged, a gravity operable unit, each of said elements having a recess and said gravity operable unit having a portion to enter each of said recesses, a latch normally holding said unit in an inoperative position, a lever to effect disengagement of both of said clutches and to trip said latch after said clutches are disengaged, a manually operable member to actuate said lever, a spring normally holding said manually operable member in a position wherein said clutches are engaged, return means carried by said member to return said unit into engagement with said latch when said member is actuated by said spring and after said clutches are engaged whereby said unit is effective to hold said elements after they have attained by gravity their predetermined position.

15. The device of claim 14 in which the driven eans comprises an independently rotatable ear, said iirst element includes a portion to enage with said gear, and detent means hold said ygear against rotation except when said portion engages therewith.

trolled means after said clutch has been disengaged thereby.

HERBERT S. BEAL.v 

